HankScorpio

Fed up with cheapos, want decent quality that won't twist or have rough handles or have philips that wear down.

Happy to pay, what's recommended?

LegacySTi

iTrader: (13)

snap on, blue point or tengtools

ronjeramy

iTrader: (1)

I used to use Britool Screwdrivers many years ago, they were pretty good

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

snap on

Johnny E

Bacho tools..............

Matteeboy

Fisher Price

bugeyeandy

SSDMR4B, Screwdriver, Ratcheting Magnetic, Standard, Black, 8 3/4"

The only screwdriver you'll ever need. I bought one as an apprentice 18 years ago and still use the same one now daily. Just change the bits as and when they wear out.

scoobyvirgin

Fac u too!

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Snap On or Mac

I was under the impression that the Blue Point tools are Snap On's budget versions...although i could be completely wrong about that.

Fuzz

This

HankScorpio

Don't want them to wear out, I'm not in any way mechanical and they only get light use but I've got stanley, draper, RS and others where especially the philips have basically disappeared.

I'm at the stage of being willing to pay 5 times as much but only as long as they last 10 times longer!

Thanks for the suggestions so far, blue point does appear to be snap on budget, any others?

Am going to treat myself at the weekend.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Maybe this is a dumb question, but: how exactly do you manage to damage them?

The longest-lasting screwdriver will always be the one that fits the screw correctly, so always take the time to tell the difference between a philips and a posi, and pick the right size. I have some fairly ordinary Stanley drivers that I use at work and, after several years, there's barely a mark on them. They weren't expensive.

Oldfella

iTrader: (3)

Snap on, fairly regularly have sets of screwdrivers on their "special offers" list. I bought a set last year containing six drivers including a 5 position ratchet, all with soft grip. Iirc it was around 70 quid, bargain for a lifetimes use

HankScorpio

Not a dumb question at all, I just grab something that looks fine and get stuck in so want maybe four screwdrivers that can take abuse.

If I've got a philips in my my hand while dicking around with PC or furniture or something, I'm not going to review every screw head to confirm it's size/fit.

So probably mostly my fault but want something a bit hardy that can take the abuse.

OllyK

Sounds like you need to learn how to use a screwdriver properly, I have never yet managed to damage even the cheapest of hand screwdrivers.

HankScorpio

Probably but I still want hardy screwdrivers to compensate for my primitive technique.

All Torque

My stanley yankee have never let me down can get various size bits as well. It`s what a lot of chippys i worked with used to use before cordless came along.

David_Dickson

The phillips/pozidrive thing isnt just about potentially damaging the screwdriver, you are much more likely to chew up the head of a tight screw by using the wrong driver.

I am currently looking for a decent set of screwdrivers, but most of the sets I have found so far have plenty "slotted" screw drivers, and then 2 or maybe 3 phillips. Its harder to find a decent set that includes both phillips and pozi drivers unless you buy a huge set of 20+ drivers, which I dont want. Looks like I will have to buy the sizes I want individually.

CrisPDuk

These:

Magnum Screwdriver set (9) In Box 1 67 449: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Are absolutely the best screwdrivers I've ever owned

My two #2 Pozis are over ten years old now, and the tips are still perfect, and that's despite almost continuous use and abuse

fast bloke

Snap on come with a lifetime guarantee (OK the spanners and socket sets do - haven't ever broken a Snap On screwdriver by attaching 8 ft of scaffold pole for better leverage, so don't know if they will replace screwdrivers) but if you use the wrong one you will fek it up. You shouldn't do much damage taking out PC screws with anything (modified spoon usually works), but if you are putting serious pressure on a screwdriver, you want all that pressure transferred to turning the screw, not shredding the head and the tip.

Think of it like making love to a beautiful woman. If you accidentally stick your dick in her belly button, you will probably eventually get your job done, but when she tells you, neither of you will ever be the same

edit - don't forget - screwdrivers and chisels are different - that would be like sticking your tongue in her belly button while you hump a knot in the bedpost

G00ner

Magnums replaced by Fatmax now I think, I've got both and they are very good.

I'm not into Snap-On, way too likely to get nicked and to be honest I'm forever leaving them locked up inside an old videogame and then rediscovering them a year or two later.

HankScorpio

Thanks for the pointers chaps, will decide over the weekend.

davegtt

Snap on are great but unless you do ALOT of work then Id say theyre over priced for the average DIY person at home and maybe once a year working on a car. Anything serious then Snap on is the way to go.

Personally Ive never had a problem with Stanley equipement.

scoobynewbie72

iTrader: (1)

Dont buy a set, buy what you actually need, Nothing wrong with a Stanly driver if used for the purpose it was designed, I have had 1 for over 10 years with no problems,
When I 1st started as a apprentice(back in the 80s) we were issued with a tool kit( we paid for it like) but they issued Steadfast screwdrivers as standard, and I still have these screwdrivers in good condition, I think anything half decent will last if used correctly is the moral of the story.

Dieseldog

Halfords 'Pro' range are nice - keep an eye out for special offers.

Life's always prolonged by using the correct one for the job (and not opening tins of paint, stabbing your little brother etc.).

TelBoy

I just use a Philips for both, is that wrong then?

fast bloke

A posidrive has a square in the middle and a philips has curved edges between the slots. If you use one screwdriver in the other type of screw and put too much pressure on it you will knacker the screw head and wear the driver tip. They are usually OK if you aren't putting much pressure on them, but if you get the screwdriver jumping out of the head, you are wearing something out

r32

Labour,

They are particularly good at screwing drivers........!

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

buy 5 litres of oil and you will get a halfords screwdrivers set worth £20 for nothing

I got one and it is either 6 or 8 drivers with a 50/50 split and they appear to be quality (2 pozies have been hammered with no ill effect to the heads or the handle/grip )